Jan. 31
07:07 am JST

Jan. 31
07:15 am JST

Trump, Pompeo, Bolton and now Abrams, it looks more like a war cabinet, full of NEOCON right wing warmongering lackys. They want a war with Iran edged on by Israel, plus the attempted coup in Venezuela, America is not looking so good now on the world stage. This week it ignored the UN charter regarding intervention in Venezuela, makes up its own rules as it goes along, with Trump thinking more like a dictator. The mentality of Trump has to be questioned he seems more deranged than the leaders of the countries he accuses.

Jan. 31
07:24 am JST

Trump supporters must feel secure that this functional genius on so many issues is protecting them.

Those close to him who called him an idiot and a moron are just haters and losers or the fake news media misreported what they said. Footage of his idiotic gibberish when asked about foreign affairs was probably doctored by Don Lemon or someone like that to make him look bad.

Jan. 31
07:56 am JST

Jan. 31
07:58 am JST

@blacklab they were talking about “climate change” as a threat from the intelligence services.

Thanks for bringing that up. It's good that those in the intelligence services also support the findings of the majority of the world'sscientists.

Trump, as you know, has sided with the global oil industry nabobs, their scientists, Russia, the world's banking communities and other ruling class members around the globe fearful that their wealth and power got from oil will be lessened if alternatives are more fully implemented,

Jan. 31
08:14 am JST

Jan. 31
08:18 am JST

Everybody is wrong here. Trump certainly is with respect to Iran, which poses no direct or indirect threat to the US. (Its so-called ally on the Arabian Peninsula, however, is another story.)

But the intelligence services are also incorrect. (This would also not be the first time they have been proven incorrect. Remember Iraq? Or Panama? Grenada? Vietnam? Or Mosaddegh’s Iran? Overstatement of the Soviet Union’s capabilities in the 1980s?) How is the DPRK a threat and a major one at that? Its arsenal is clearly defensive. Even if it were to attack, Kim and his military advisors know that their country (and the ROK collaterally) will be effectively destroyed forever. They are violent, but not mad.

As for Russia, that is another overstated threat. With the US boasting overwhelming nuclear, technological, strategic, troop, and morale advantages, Putin would have to be suicidal to engage in aggressive action against the US. There is a threat, unfortunately, in Syria where US and Russian soldiers regularly scrape against each other. If something were to ignite into more serious fighting, that could prove very troubling for the civilians of those respective countries. (To say nothing of the Syrians who have already endured though the proxy war battlefield their country has been turned into. Why are we in Syria again?)

Supposing if Russia skewed the election, there are still several questions about that matter left unanswered. Considering that the US has levied more sanctions against Russia than during the Obama administration, is currently engaged in a nascent arms race, and has seen the diplomatic relations between both countries fall to levels not seen since the days of Brezhnev and Carter, what did Russia gain for its alleged tampering? Did they also rig it so two of the most unpopular presidential candidates in history would face off against each other, thus inspiring wide voter apathy? None of this makes sense.

Finally, as has been pointed out by many others, why does the US have carte blanche to interfere in the elections and domestic affairs of treaty allies and foes alike? Why is it somehow out-of-bounds when the favor is returned to it?

Jan. 31
08:23 am JST

No one is going to believe Trump over the intelligence agencies. He's just wasting everyone's time.

Wait until later today on JT when youtube videos (how many of which are sponsored by Qanon, Russia, Bannon etal?) are posted claiming Trump has greater-than-Kim (see below) abilities, and that those even questioning Trump are being controlled by evil forces including the deep state led by the likes of Loki, Dr. Doom, and hillaryobama clones.

Jan. 31
08:30 am JST

It's clear we have a Maniac running our country. What happens if tonight, the Director of National Intelligence tells Trump the Russians are moving formations onto the border with Ukraine, and it's a prelude to an invasion - what"s Donnie going to do - call his mentor Vlad and ask him if it's true?

What if the DNI tells him that they have indications and warning, and have assessed that China will launch a strike against Taiwan in the next 24 hours - is he going to go back to sleep?

More worrying are the thousands of cyber threats that our intel agencies track every day.

It's as if Putin is talking and Donnie's mouth is moving - what better way for Putin to get what he wants than to discredit our agencies that track him and his regime, as they attack our country and our allies.

Putin came from the KGB - do you think he'd use these words to describe the Russian intel services?

Trump is more than "a danger to the republic" - he's a mortal danger...

Jan. 31
09:06 am JST

The orange Golem is being schooled himself on Iran 101, but by whom? He has just learned how to find the country on a map and discovered that big bully Iran is "next to" little Israel and is hell-bent on developing its nuclear capability, so now it's time for Donny Dotard to do his homework and take to the world stage and strut his stuff as an expert on Iran who knows more than anyone else. What a schmo for POTUS!

Jan. 31
09:08 am JST

Trump’s slow-building war on intelligence began at a very young age. Over the years, attack after attack on the idea of intelligence took its toll and now the battle is almost won. Trump is nearly void of any intelligence.

Jan. 31
09:35 am JST

Sanders said 'God' wanted 'Donald Trump' to be President.

I guess that settles it, since Sanders has a direct communication with 'God' we should all just accept our new 'King'. Whatever qualifications the intelligence chiefs have they are not God's chosen ones.

We can knock off most of the 7 deadly sins otherwise Donald wouldn't be the chosen one.

Jan. 31
10:24 am JST

Jan. 31
10:36 am JST

History shows that Hitler didn't listen to his Intel and lost the war. No fan of Hitler or Donny, but are we heading in the same direction as past history? My hope is someone in the US Government has the common sense to make the right choices.

Jan. 31
10:56 am JST

Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through a Presidency, Cadet Bonespurs.

The President doesn't drink.

Anyway, the only thing that I can think of is that Trump wants to bring the troops home and doesn't want any part of going back and dealing with wars where we can't change the ways and lives of the people. As long as he keeps a contingency force and doesn't do what Obama did, then it would make perfect sense why he opposes the Generals.

Jan. 31
11:00 am JST

When the President makes the unhinged go wild, then he must be doing something right.

These "intelligence services" participated in the $1.8 billion hostage payoff to Iran which went ostensibly to fund terrorism and have providing wrong "intelligence" of epic proportions - from the Pearl Harbor attack, the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Tet Offensive, the Iraq War, 9/11.

Fact: John Brennan's admittance that he voted for Communist Party leader Gus Hall for president in 1976. Imagine, a commie sympathizer leading the CIA. Should have been DQ'd.

Fact: Most of the Obama "intelligence" holdovers are deep state operatives, working in treason against the interests of the U.S.A.

"Back to school" is putting it mildly! They should be scrubbed, cleansed and lose their pensions!

Jan. 31
11:09 am JST

Jan. 31
11:13 am JST

That conclusion is not supported by any evidence.

Judging that he still has his own building, casino, property, fortune, golf courses, even the one where he threw out Mueller, the fact he donates his salary every year, his plane, helicopter....yup, that's bit more evidence then needed.

Jan. 31
11:15 am JST

These "intelligence services" participated in the $1.8 billion hostage payoff to Iran which went ostensibly to fund terrorism and have providing wrong "intelligence" of epic proportions - from the Pearl Harbor attack, the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Tet Offensive, the Iraq War, 9/11.

Wow, we're getting as deep into the conspiracy theories as the righties ever get on JT!

Unfortunately for you, your entire theory on the money and the reasons it was paid are entirely wrong.

Jan. 31
11:18 am JST

Judging that he still has his own building, casino, property, fortune, golf courses, even the one where he threw out Mueller, the fact he donates his salary every year, his plane, helicopter....yup, that's bit more evidence then needed.

Someone doesn't know how business works...lol

Being rich and driving multiple companies into bankruptcy are two completely different things...

Jan. 31
11:22 am JST

When the President makes the unhinged go wild, then he must be doing something right.

Like Ann Coulter....

These "intelligence services" participated in the $1.8 billion hostage payoff to Iran which went ostensibly to fund terrorism and have providing wrong "intelligence" of epic proportions - from the Pearl Harbor attack, the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Tet Offensive, the Iraq War, 9/11.

Far right fairy tales scripted in Moscow...

Fact: John Brennan's admittance that he voted for Communist Party leader Gus Hall for president in 1976. Imagine, a commie sympathizer leading the CIA. Should have been DQ'd.

And admitted it and said he was wrong..

Fact: Most of the Obama "intelligence" holdovers are deep state operatives, working in treason against the interests of the U.S.A.

Could come right out of Putin's mouth...

"Back to school" is putting it mildly! They should be scrubbed, cleansed and lose their pensions!

Like our military, they should be treated with respect and honored for keeping the myriad of threats away from our country - but Trumpers don't care about that, the only thing they honor is the Russian flag...

Jan. 31
11:24 am JST

I'm not surprised. Trump knows more about science, the earth, weather, military, money, walls, Hillary, Russia, and technology that anybody. Pure genius. They should just fire the entire government, Trump and his kids can do it. His knowledge of English grammar is terrible though.

Jan. 31
11:31 am JST

No, he is, I disagree. You can't be at all or nearly get to where he's at if you didn't have money.

You can if someone gives you millions and millions of dollars.

The problem here is that none of us know his finances as a result of his unwillingness to be open and truthful with the American people. So you can try to pretend he has money all you want, the fact is, none of us know if he has money or not. He may be leveraged beyond his worth, in which case he's worth less than zero. None of us know, so any claims that he has money are purely wishful thinking, and not based in any actual evidence.

Jan. 31
12:12 pm JST

Jan. 31
12:16 pm JST

@ulysses

These are great question that we deserve answers to.

Trump fans like Bass will continue to call your questions irrelevant and the topics of Trump's secret meetings with Putin a "Non Issue" because they know deep down that he's committed treason, collusion, whatever they wanna call it. Its a never ending battle of bringing up Obama and Hillary with them. No interest in the evil that Trump is creating now.

Jan. 31
12:36 pm JST

bass4funk: "I never lie."

Neither does Roger Stone, or Trump. In fact, no one who agrees with Trump has ever, or will never, lie, and certainly they know far more than all of their intelligence committees, and are stable geniuses.

Jan. 31
12:37 pm JST

Trump always reminds of the idea that a person isn’t educated until he or she gets some idea of the extent of how much there is to know. In other words, how ignorant we all are. Trump is too arrogant and ignorant to know he is ignorant.

With Trump, it is like equating the knowledge that Iraq has huge oil reserves with knowledge about the mating habits of the spotted bush warbler. He says things like ‘who knew?’ or ‘very few people know’ about things almost anyone with a passing interest in the news would know.

I think Trump supporters know this and can’t take his opinion over people who know stuff.

Jan. 31
12:40 pm JST

Its not just Trump, its also the people that made this maniac their President, and the other so-called Western Powers that continue to appease the US and follow them into a never ending list of wars - the US is at war with the world, including its spineless allies.

Jan. 31
12:54 pm JST

As long as he keeps a contingency force and doesn't do what Obama did, then it would make perfect sense why he opposes the Generals.

Obama couldn't leave troops in Iraq because the Bush II admin agreed to a deadline with Iraq. You guys excorciate Obama for not ending our involvement in Afghanistan and excorciate him for ending our involvement in Iraq. Which is it?

Judging that he still has his own building, casino, property, fortune, golf courses, even the one where he threw out Mueller, the fact he donates his salary every year, his plane, helicopter....yup, that's bit more evidence then needed.

Trump would be richer if he had simply held the property he inherited instead of trying to be a businessperson. That demonstrates conclusively how poor of a businessperson he is.

Jan. 31
01:01 pm JST

Obama couldn't leave troops in Iraq because the Bush II admin agreed to a deadline with Iraq. You guys excorciate Obama for not ending our involvement in Afghanistan and excorciate him for ending our involvement in Iraq. Which is it?

Sorry, Obama could have left a small contingency force there, he didn’t, he didn’t even establish a SOFA agreement, thus paved a way for the birth of ISIS. One of his finest moments of many. The man himself said that the real wars in Afghanistan and wanted to go there and push voices into that region, not another finer moment I would say.

Trump would be richer if he had simply held the property he inherited instead of trying to be a businessperson. That demonstrates conclusively how poor of a businessperson he is.

Just on his interests alone he never has to work again, he has more money than any of us can imagine, either way he’s set. Good on him.

Jan. 31
01:09 pm JST

@bass

You sound like a fish out of water. "Trump should listen more to intelligence" to " Trump is right, he should ignore his intelligence experts" to "Obama was wrong, he should have listened to intelligence experts" to "Trump is rich, good job".

Jan. 31
01:17 pm JST

Jan. 31
01:29 pm JST

Wow, we're getting as deep into the conspiracy theories as the righties ever get on JT!

Unfortunately for you, your entire theory on the money and the reasons it was paid are entirely wrong.

Conspiracy theory?

$1.8 billion airlifted secretly in the dead of the night to the mullahs of Iran, the world's foremost sponsor of terrorism who cries out "Death to America" at every opportunity? Why not a bank to bank transfer? That last president would have been condemned as treasonous if he were anything near being a Republican.

The political hatred of the unhinged is so severe, they can't think straight.

Unfortunately, Trump will be president until 2024, then President Pence!

Jan. 31
01:50 pm JST

Conspiracy theory?

Yes, big time - been debunked too...

$1.8 billion airlifted secretly in the dead of the night to the mullahs of Iran, the world's foremost sponsor of terrorism who cries out "Death to America" at every opportunity? Why not a bank to bank transfer? That last president would have been condemned as treasonous if he were anything near being a Republican.

That was part of the agreement, and was their money being held in the US due to sanctions - and Trump's DNI just told Congress Iran was abiding by the deal - the one that Donnie pulled out off, letting Iran continue their nuclear development. The guy is a flat danger to the republic - just like Gen Kelly said.

The political hatred of the unhinged is so severe, they can't think straight.

May want to tell Coulter, Dobbs, Cernovich, and all the other conservatives humiliating "Wimpy"...

Unfortunately, Trump will be president until 2024, then President Pence!

I don't know about Pence, think he'll be back in rural Indiana as pastor of a church with a flock of 10. Donnie might be President - of Cell Block 13...

Jan. 31
02:04 pm JST

Jan. 31
02:06 pm JST

Conspiracy theory?

$1.8 billion airlifted secretly in the dead of the night to the mullahs of Iran, the world's foremost sponsor of terrorism who cries out "Death to America" at every opportunity? Why not a bank to bank transfer?

Jan. 31
02:28 pm JST

Trump is an ignoramus, a moron, and a liar. So what does that tell us about anybody who believes or defends anything he says over serious professionals who are the opposite of those things and give their honest and learned opinion?

Jan. 31
02:38 pm JST

It is difficult to comment on the intelligence community without having all the facts and know and understand exactly what is going on. Hopefully as the President, Trump has the access and does have the facts and was able to see the community from within and without from all perspectives.

There are times when those of us viewing the "trending" from an "outside the country" perspective as we are, have made some rather sound and meaningful comments and opinions supported by meaningful data and facts which proved to be much more relevant and true than what the intelligence community "professed" to have known and analyzed. Such view we have expressed in fact came to be true in some cases.

Therefore, any organization or institution must always review and view itself from within and without, with the right attitude and perspective.

Here Trump may have pushed the button that will "force" them to "prove" themselves better than Trump... which in effect is a benefit for the nation...

Jan. 31
02:44 pm JST

Here Trump may have pushed the button that will "force" them to "prove" themselves better than Trump... which in effect is a benefit for the nation...

I'm not so sure they need to prove themselves anymore on certain things. Just to name a few, global warming, ISIS not being defeated, Putin peeing on Trump, Illegal Immigrants coming through POE rather than wall-less borders.

Unless you are suggest that irreparable damage is needed to prove him wrong and benefit the nation.

Jan. 31
02:46 pm JST

Hopefully as the President, Trump has the access and does have the facts and was able to see the community from within and without from all perspectives.

I'm sure he has the access, but I seriously doubt he has all the facts. Nothing he has done, ever, has shown him to be diligent about making sure he knows what he is talking about before talking about it.

Jan. 31
02:58 pm JST

Meh. But if Dems don’t agree with a government agency it’s just that they are so much smarter. Border patrol says they need a wall. But liberals who never been to the border simply know better because of their superior intelligence and moral authority.

Jan. 31
03:02 pm JST

Nothing he has done, ever, has shown him to be diligent about making sure he knows what he is talking about before talking about it.

Exactly. For example, making the call to pull out of the middle east without talking to anybody beforehand. Which then led to back peddling on plans told to the world, ISIS attacks, etc etc etc. And here we are, again. Trump's presidency is less and less about America and more about him leaving his legacy, thumbprint, in the history books every day. He could care less if NK is still building nukes. If it looks like he made headway to creating a peaceful relationship, that's good enough for him. He doesn't care if the wall won't work, its "TRUMP WALL". Good enough for him. He's the guy who thinks he knows more about ISIS than ISIS does. In other words, he's a complete twat and the people that worship him are nut jobs. At least the GOP is starting to get real, and put him in his place.

Jan. 31
03:19 pm JST

Meh. But if Dems don’t agree with a government agency it’s just that they are so much smarter. Border patrol says they need a wall. But liberals who never been to the border simply know better because of their superior intelligence and moral authority.

Again, "alternative facts". CBP supports some sort of structuring (fence, wall, etc.) in certain locations, especially areas that see more violence, but not a "great wall of Trump". In other words, they support the maintenance of fences already built, with maybe the addition of a few similar barriers. They even state on their website that the wall is not what stops illegal immigrants from coming through.

This is just another poor argument of "the dems do it, so why can't we?". It's like saying, "you are wrong, and so am I". It doesn't work in developing your defense.

Jan. 31
03:33 pm JST

Border patrol says they need a wall.

I don't think that's correct. I certainly never heard it, and I'm not finding any stories that support the claim. Only individual border patroler's opinions, not an official statement from the Border Patrol.

Jan. 31
03:34 pm JST

I can here Obama now. Are we up to speed on Iran Mr. Clapper?

Do we hypocrite much?

I'm not sure you read the thread but, we aren't arguing the choices made by Obama. And if we were, whose to say some of us wouldn't have disagreed with him as well? Again, what you are saying is hypocritical in itself. That it was wrong for Obama to do it, but not Trump. That is what you are saying, is it not?

Jan. 31
04:14 pm JST

@Deadforgood.

Clearly readers here commented that the current President had no right to be critical of the intel community. That he lacks in the ability to surmise the current situation. That he is a stupid man. One even called him a drunkard.

Here are few that caught my eye.

self-centered arrogance of this man is astounding.

Trump is an ignoramus, a moron, and a liar.

Trump is nearly void of any intelligence.

if he is not the anti-christ then he is taking orders from him

And my all-time favorite from our most fierce critic of this President.

Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through a Presidency, Cadet Bonespurs.

However, Deadforgood. I will give you this. Obama would never use such colorful language and demeaning language like Trump did. Which goes to show you he is so unqualified to be President. My point was to bring to light. That a Democratic President as well had been critical about the intel community in the past. The same could have been said about Obama in the above comments I pasted and copied. Is it right to say such things about any President? No. In -(my)- opinion- which does not matter much anyways. I am but one vote in the great scheme of things. Just one reader here. One voice.

Obama was always being critical about the intel community during his tenure as President. If we are to justify the billions spent on hi-tech satellites an operatives working in this intelligence field that are clearly drawing criticisms from two different Presidents. Then how do we fix it? If Democarts are going to knock Republicans. And go on with the shredding a Republican President and the bashing becuase he is being critical of the intel agencies and community for getting it wrong. I am going to remind Democrats.

Jan. 31
04:23 pm JST

Obama was always being critical about the intel community during his tenure as President. If we are to justify the billions spent on hi-tech satellites an operatives working in this intelligence field that are clearly drawing criticisms from two different Presidents. The how do we fix it? If Democarts are going to knock Republicans. And go on with a Republican President bashing becuase he is being critical of the intel agencies and community for getting it wrong. I am going to remind Democrats. Remember when? https://www.sfgate.com/world/article/Obama-criticizes-spy-agencies-for-not-seeing-2477011.php

And you cut and pasted only selected portions of the article - so do you think anyone on this site that's not a loyal Trumper is going to believe anything you say?

And I feel slighted that you didn't include my insult of Trump, so one more for your list....

He's a draft-dodging, white supremacist loving, swindler, chizzler, coward, and pervert - have a few more but I'll leave it at that...

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Moderator

Jan. 31
04:27 pm JST

Readers, enough of this nonsense. If you can't post as mature adults, then please don't post anything.

Jan. 31
04:28 pm JST

The spit is over National Intelligence claims that ISIS was still alive and kicking and that NK is still building Nukes, and Iran was not. Trump doesn't believe them. Out of curiosity, who do you guys believe and why? National Intelligence/CIA or Trump?

Jan. 31
04:31 pm JST

My point was to bring to light. That a Democratic President as well has been critical about the intel community in the past. The same could have been said about Obama in the above comments I pasted and copied.

Only by a totally partisan person with no grounding in reality.

In the article you link to, Obama is reported to have said he was "disappointed with the intelligence community" for what was a clear failure to predict the Tunisian uprising. He also said that he expected to be " provided with relevant, timely and accurate intelligence assessments" from the intelligence agencies.

I don't recall Obama "always being critical about the intel community during his tenure as President." And certainly not in the kind of crass, uneducated, arrogant language used by Trump.

Trump meanwhile blurts out that the intelligence agencies are naive and in need of schooling - after, let's not forget, stating in public and on the international stage that he believed the self-serving claims of Russia over the findings of his own US Intelligence.

A case of the pot calling not the kettle, but the well-polished silver teapot, black.

Jan. 31
04:44 pm JST

@Deadforgood

I think people are commenting on Trump's lack of intelligence because he has demonstrated it numerous times.

Couldn’t agree with you more. If you have followed my comments in the past. You will see that this President was not my Republican choice and I find him brash and borderline unstable. As well a down right poor public speaker.

But the fact is. I want my party to work with Democrats. LET ME REPEATE. I AM NO TRUMPSTER or what ever your calling them. I am Republican sitting this one out waiting for a viable candidate that I can trust and put my heart into.

Jan. 31
04:56 pm JST

Well this is great question.

This is the type of question elected officials should be asking.

Out of curiosity, who do you guys believe and why? National Intelligence/CIA or Trump?

Honestly, without being in the loop. I do not know. I do not know if I am even qualified if given an opportunity to see what this president is seeing. To determine who is right and who is wrong? Man honestly that is a tough one. Thats is a matter of good and solid judgement. But judging from Iran’s past. I think the President may have a valid point. Intel may need to take another look at Iran. Trump saw something he did not like from someone in his staff.

But I despise his drama and antics. Getting so old. Go back to school. Come on seriously? Ugh. My neck cringes hearing him speak. It is not easy for some us Pubs ya know.

Jan. 31
04:57 pm JST

I want my party to work with Democrats. LET ME REPEATE. I AM NO TRUMPSTER or what ever your calling them. I am Republican sitting this one out waiting for a viable candidate that I can trust and put my heart into.

I agree with you, and I wish the two could get along but I don't see it happening with Trump as president. Of course the main issue being the wall and the literal divide between Americans. He built the crisis, created an image of a wall between America and Mexico that was marketed towards his base. He's not going to let it go, and Pelosi isn't going to hand it to him either...

Jan. 31
05:06 pm JST

Honestly, without being in the loop. I do not know. I do not know if I am even qualified if given an opportunity to see what this president is seeing. To determine who is right and who is wrong? Man honestly that is a tough one. Thats is a matter of good and solid judgement. But judging from Iran’s past. I think the President may have a valid point. Intel may need to take another look at Iran. Trump saw something he did not like from someone in his staff.

I don't really know what conversation was had between Coats and Trump, but it would seem like Coats didn't agree with Trump getting so cozy with Putin and that's where this began, allegedly.

I'd still take my gut instinct that a team of intelligence operatives would be more on top of things than Trump. How is he judging their intel? Is he watching Fox etc and using that as his grounding? Or is he getting intel from somebody else that we don't know about and not sharing that with the American government? If his source of intel is wrong as he claims, how does he know?

Jan. 31
05:18 pm JST

Slickdrifter,

I have followed some of your comments on the current POTUS and I know you're no Trump supporter. The fact that you're no Trump supporter but that you are still a self-identified Republican illustrates to me at least part of the problem this President is going to have in getting himself re-elected in a couple of years' time. Trump is a one-off, a cowboy, at odds apparently with much of the Republican party base. I'm not an American so my knowledge of the feeling inside the country is much more limited than yours, but the unfortunate truth is that as President of the USA Trump is very influential in countries such as mine, here in Australia. That's why I comment on the man and his actions, and I admit not always politely.

He just doesn't help himself with comments like the ones reported here, the latest in a long line of un-Presidential public statements, and one intended to defend an arbitrary decision on reinstating US sanctions against Iran, an action supported by almost none of America's allies and, judging by this article, a significant segment of his own administration. I respect your position and your posts, but sorry, I'm personally hoping for a Democrat win in the next Presidential election, and a return to (relative) American sanity for all of us.

Jan. 31
05:21 pm JST

@Deadforgood.

Or is he getting intel from somebody else that we don't know about and not sharing that with the

American government?

I think the brunt of the intel on Iran is coming from Israel. But I could be wrong. But at the end of day all the data being shared and studied must be evaluated properly. This is where Mattis was so key and McMaster excelled. So, whoever he is listing to now? I really think he better get a second and third fourth fifth opinion. But volleying insults at these people like some lacking division in a company as a hawkish CEO. Not cool. So not cool.

Jan. 31
05:29 pm JST

I never really approved of his mannerisms, approach and blatant populist blah-blah, but I conceded he was elected by the US democratic process.

But now he's just gone way over the edge. His thoughts, expressions and tactics of the past coupla months show a person in considerable decline.

He's attacked his friends from day one, but now he's just burning all his bridges.

To ridicule intelligent people as lacking in intelligence and stating they should go back to school, coming from Trump whose never read a book in his adult life and has the concentration span of a child, really nails his own coffin.

He'll never crawl back from this. Wishful thinkers, will wish otherwise, but this time it's way too late. Bye, Bye.

Jan. 31
05:42 pm JST

I think the whole lot of them are. There are some bad apples in the party for sure.

It is a well-known fact Obama at times was unhappy with Clappers performance. Obama blamed the intel community for underestimating and dropping the ball on ISIS.

How can this not be disputed? Those working in intel are human. Sometimes the mass amount of information coming in can get confusing. Mistakes will be made.

Good comments - and if I insulted you, I apologize. Trump tends to bring out the worst in me - most people in my opinion but let's leave partisanship aside.

During my 27 year military career, I worked closely with our intel agencies and specialists - I continue to do so today in a civilian capacity. The number of threats they follow each day would boggle your mine - they range from minor protests near US Embassies, to plots to conduct mass causality attacks all over the world. Then we have our current competitors/adversaries; Russia, China, nKorea, etc. The number of cyber threats is 10 times that.

Every one I worked with was an absolute professional who understood one minor mistake on their part could jeopardize thousands of lives. Tough job.

They have been wrong - just like our military made mistakes at My Lai and Abu Gharib. But we don't generalize and stigmatize the entire military for those mistakes - same for our intel agencies. I've found Trump and Trump's supporters tend to do this, when it's in their interest. They do the opposite when it's not.

Jan. 31
05:52 pm JST

I don't really know what conversation was had between Coats and Trump, but it would seem like Coats didn't agree with Trump getting so cozy with Putin and that's where this began, allegedly.

Allegedly.

I'd still take my gut instinct that a team of intelligence operatives would be more on top of things than Trump. How is he judging their intel? Is he watching Fox etc and using that as his grounding? Or is he getting intel from somebody else that we don't know about and not sharing that with the American government? If his source of intel is wrong as he claims, how does he know?

I won’t second guess what Trump said because it’s a wasted of time to understand why a person does or say the things they do. As I’ve said before, I’m not a shrink, having said that, Trump is allowed to have his opinion, but as with Obama, Trump should listen more, so on this one, I do think the President stepped in it.

Jan. 31
06:03 pm JST

Good comments - and if I insulted you, I apologize. Trump tends to bring out the worst in me - most people in my opinion but let's leave partisanship aside.

I feel the same about Democrats, but in all honesty there is room for both parties to come together and for them to work on bipartisan issues.

They have been wrong - just like our military made mistakes at My Lai and Abu Gharib. But we don't generalize and stigmatize the entire military for those mistakes - same for our intel agencies. I've found Trump and Trump's supporters tend to do this, when it's in their interest. They do the opposite when it's not.

I don’t believe that for a second, we are all pragmatic, but given the fact that the media as well as the Democrats are out to destroy this man, the message is always mistrusted, especially when it involves CNN, msnbc, WP and NYT.

You get offended and I understand, we all can get offended for different reasons, but I think the temperature needs to be turned down a lot. Even if I don’t agree with Democrats on pretty much anything, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a serious dialogue. Trump is not perfect, he’s made some mistakes, but the Democrats can’t toot their horns either. I think the divide is getting worse and if both sides don’t figure out a way to come together and listen to one another and the two parties slip to the extreme, I do believe we will eventually have another civil war and that would destroy the country. Cooler heads need to prevail all of us, including the President, wouldn’t hurt him to listen to the people that know better on these particular issues.

Jan. 31
06:28 pm JST

I think they should offend all patriotic Americans.

Highly amusing, responses to this thread. As Mark Twain once quipped, "The reports of my death are exaggerated."

President Trump will finish his term and likely be re-elected. The left doesn't have a worthy national candidate and seem to exalt those who pander to the unhinged left, which unfortunately won't win the electoral college.

What is patently false is the assumption that those of us who vehemently disagree that the America we love be "fundamentally transformed" by the previous POTUS radical adherent of Alinsky, who utterly failed but definitely ruined the economy and exacerbated partisan politics - and his would be successor - the perennial money-grabbing loser, are not "patriots".

Jan. 31
07:31 pm JST

Clearly readers here commented that the current President had no right to be critical of the intel community.

Try again. Trump has every right to criticize whomever or whatever he wants, we aren't disputing this. We are disputing his credibility because he has demonstrated many times that he shoots off at the mouth in a firing from the hip manner.

Jan. 31
07:32 pm JST

Yes, it’s true and if you want to talk about conspiracy theories, there’s enough of them in Washington to go floating around all day and if you look at this president and you look at how irresponsible the media has been, it’s very hard to know who is telling the truth, in this particular situation, now I will go out on a limb here, the president does stretch the truth every now and then, not as bad as the media, but still...and for him to outright reject The intel claims, seems very odd, even for him.

Jan. 31
07:41 pm JST

Jan. 31
07:45 pm JST

Pelosi said she “rejects your facts” about the border when Homeland Security told her what is going on there. But that’s cool right? Cause they are obviously wrong and Nancy has a PhD in border security right?

Jan. 31
11:23 pm JST

We are disputing his credibility because he has demonstrated many times that he shoots off at the mouth in a firing from the hip manner.

Peccadilloes, my friend. You may not like his in-your-face style as a first-time politician, but he's been elected President fair and square, and he's been quite effective. Everyone admits we did not elect a saint.

Compare that with the opposition: open-borders, anti-ICE, anti-police, pro-illegal immigration, pro late-term abortion, pro-Antifa, socialized medicine without a plan on how to pay for it, blatantly using government agencies against political opponents, horribly anti-American in essence - the list goes on and on. We aren't going to be duped.

Feb. 1
09:13 am JST

Miyam - "...Everyone admits we did not elect a saint...."

No they don't. eg Huckabee-Sanders said yesterday that it was God's plan for Trump to be president. As do millions of others. lol.

Miyam - "...Compare that with the opposition: open-borders, anti-ICE, anti-police, pro-illegal immigration, pro late-term abortion, pro-Antifa, socialized medicine without a plan on how to pay for it, blatantly using government agencies against political opponents, horribly anti-American in essence - the list goes on and on. ...."

Any facts to back up such commments. I know they are repeated ad nauseum, but that doesn't make fake claims the truth. Such nonsensical fear-mongering comments are usually the last ground before capitulation. Why don't you discuss the issues you brought up in detail, so as to add to the debate.

Miyam - "...We aren't going to be duped..."

Sorry - but you already have been, by a discredited parody of a leader that the conservative electorate will not support in the next eleection, guaranteed - except for the dupees.

Any intelligence agency has finite resources and in the case of a democracy, public opinion is the most valuable resource that controls the flow of material/human resources. The CIA is not an omnipresent eye in the sky with a finger in every pie. To gain any useful information, agents need to have a clear agenda and objective and know exactly what they are looking for and for what purpose.

Feb. 1
12:45 pm JST

Judging that he still has his own building, casino, property, fortune, golf courses, even the one where he threw out Mueller, the fact he donates his salary every year, his plane, helicopter....yup, that's bit more evidence then needed.

and yet he wont release his tax returns, as Trump personally stated hes the master of debt, if you take all the debt away from his assets then many would be surprised how wealthy Trump really is, its hightly unlikely to be anywhere near what Trump claims.

Feb. 1
12:53 pm JST

@liconman

Apology absolutely fully accepted and thank you. For the record I have served as well in the USMC. I may not have dealt in intel. I ran an aviation re-supply chain for aviation and armament at the commissioned level. But that is for another day.

Putting politics aside for a moment. Has anyone thanked you for keeping us safe in our beds at night in Japan? Well I am now. We may disagree on may issues and stories here. But I will not insult you or your intelligence. You have every right to view your opinions to us readers. And I will read all. And I will scoff. I will laugh. I will get angry. I will agree and disagree. But I try to keep it professional. All commenting here come from different and diverse backgrounds and that’s what makes Democracy and freedom of speech so great! One thing the USMC instilled in me. It was always be faithful. Always have an open mind and over come and adapt. Always listen to others.

Feb. 1
01:44 pm JST

Feb. 1
11:07 pm JST

browny1Today 09:13 am JST

Any facts to back up such commments. I know they are repeated ad nauseum, but that doesn't make fake claims the truth. Such nonsensical fear-mongering comments are usually the last ground before capitulation. Why don't you discuss the issues you brought up in detail, so as to add to the debate.

I doubt you're a low-information voter, but perhaps you should read the news and not just limit yourself to opinionated, one-sided pseudo-news reporting at hard-left outlets.

Here's a tidbit of real news making national headlines:

Quote:

Democrats are furious at former Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz for announcing that he may launch an independent campaign for president. They fear he will split the anti-Trump opposition and help reelect the president. But what angers them, even more, is that Schultz is calling Democrats out for how radical their party has become.

Feb. 2
02:23 pm JST

Miyam - thanks for your response.

Yes I agree. Some of the Dems look like they're going to be at each others throats for a while. Could be a media-minus for them if they don't get it right.

But from my limited observations - many / most democrat supporters don't care for the extremes you've postulated. They're ordinary middle-of-the-road folks who feel differently to many causes than the Trumpites do. They are not molotov throwing, criminal loving, 70% tax red loving versions of the antichrist. Jeeez - some even believe in God.

This was more what I was referring to in your original comments. Cherry picking controversial terms and implying Dems support all of them like - open borders (yeah a free for all), anti-ICE (yeah a free for all), anti-police (yeah a free for all), pro-antifa (yeah a free for all) etc etc.

My lovely Democrat friend (read strongly anti-trump) from Houston Texas, who works fulltime in hospice care with the dying, has 3 young kids and helps her husband with their delivery business, said to me last year that the extremism that is being fuelled by the far right and played to ordinary folks as a way to freedom is alienating the majority. Compared to the Ex-Right the Ex-Left is way, way a minority. But she says Trump et al play it up like the end of the world is coming so you better follow me - or else. And if you don't follow me, that can only mean you're a criminal loving commie or the like.

I feel sorry for my friend and her family and all the other ordinary decent folks, but 'm glad I'm not there trying to eke out an existence with a hard right evangelical agenda banging on my brain everyday.

Feb. 4
06:47 pm JST

Feb. 4
07:35 pm JST

The intelligence community has a record of being incredibly wrong time and time again. Predicted that the USSR would last forever because they spent so much. Respecting security officials sounds like an instant disaster since all they want is more money and more power with less oversight and less accountable with every failure and corrupt practices.

Feb. 5
12:24 pm JST

Feb. 5
09:19 pm JST

What I want to know is who has President nincompoop's ear? He's very opinionated and thinks he knows best. Why? Where is he getting his non fake news and real facts from ? Is it Mossad, Fox news, the Kremlin or North Korea? Maybe it's all of them? Why isn't he being called out for the traitor he is to freedom and democracy? with the power he has he could be making the USA and the world a safer, happier place to live. Instead, he chooses to promote division, hatred and rivalry. He's a dangerous, belligerent fool.

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